Iran Nuclear Crisis Needs ‘Disruptive Diplomacy’, Not Shock and Awe

Disruptive diplomacy may be the only way out of the Iran-Israel nuclear crisis, the only way to pierce the hegemony of hypocrisy dominating the power politics of nuclear weapons control, of those who have them, and of those who are accused of developing them.

Otherwise, this weekend's meeting on Iran's nuclear programme is likely to be yet another missed opportunity, yet another exercise in futility.

Who will meet in Istanbul this Saturday? Iran and the 'P5+1', the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the only "legitimate" nuclear weapons states under the U.N.'s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) – the United States, China, Russia, France and the UK, plus Germany.

Together, their collective history with Iran and Israel is one of complexity, pain and – so far as nuclear weapons are concerned – utter hypocrisy. There is no easy solution. What is needed is disruptive diplomacy in which both sides put forward something challenging, and in which everyone gives something up to win peace.

Only four countries sit outside the NPT: Israel, India and Pakistan never signed, and North Korea withdrew.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: by joining the NPT Israel can pierce the veil of its policy of "ambiguity", place its facilities under international safeguards, and begin to dismantle its nuclear arsenal. In this way Israel can help end hypocrisy and build trust. Israel does not need nuclear weapons; these do not offer a safety net, instead they provide a destabilising influence throughout the entire region.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Iran could equally afford to dismantle its entire nuclear programme in favour of smart energy systems, efficient energy use and renewable energy sources. This is not cheap rhetoric. It could be done, and would benefit Iran's people.

In 2007 the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior embarked on a Nuclear Free Middle East tour to address the threat of nuclear weapons in the region and the threat of another "weapons of mass destruction" war.

Greenpeace commissioned a study showing that a combination of decentralised energy systems, renewable energy use and energy efficiency would allow Iran to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, end its nuclear programme and meet the development needs of its people.

At the same time, Greenpeace activists demonstrated outside Israel's Parliament, the Knesset, arguing, "Nuclear developments and nuclear weapons in any country provoke proliferation and undermine security region-wide."

What about the so-called P5? The high-handed posturing of Iran's principle accusers requires some scrutiny. They are the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. They are proof that nuclear weapons provide a seat at the top table of global security and thus power politics. Why else would Britain and France still have their own chairs? What right do any of them have to discuss illegal, so- called "preventative" attacks on a country?

Together they stand for over four decades of bad faith. Under the NPT they promised to disarm in return for all other signatories forgoing nuclear weapons. The P5 committed to negotiate away their deadly nuclear arsenals. They have not done so. Instead, they continue to invest; they continue to modernise their nuclear weapons and delivery mechanisms; they continue to undermine global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

Before accusing Iran of duplicity, the nuclear weapons nations need to stop and reflect. In reality the grand bargain of the 'Atoms for Peace' pact at the heart of the NPT was always a dangerous lie. A diplomatic deceit promising to control the spread of nuclear weapons in return for support in developing nuclear power, an abundant power source that was supposed to be clean, safe and reliable, though it turned out to be dirty, dangerous, and expensive. A pact that Iran agreed to, but Israel has not.

Nuclear power and nuclear weapons are the Janus faces of nuclear technology: you cannot have one without the other. No amount of agreement, treaties and inspection will ever remove the risk and temptation of a nuclear power state becoming a nuclear weapons state.

It can be made harder, but never impossible. Just as the risks of meltdowns are present at every reactor site, the risk of nuclear proliferation is attendant in every nuclear programme and the temptation to balance the possession by others of nuclear weapons is always there. The temptation to enter the arena of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is ever present.

The world does not need nuclear power. Greenpeace's Energy [R]evolution – developed over many years with leading scientists and engineers – shows how we can avert catastrophic climate change, phase out nuclear power and transition to a clean energy system based on smart, efficient use and renewable energy sources.

As the first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear crisis passes it is even more significant to note that this crisis was man-made, predicated on the inherent failures and risks of civil nuclear power. The earthquake and tsunami may have been natural in origin but the profit-before-safety ethos that pervades all industrial activity left the people of Japan and the world vulnerable to multiple nuclear meltdowns. For all its so-called reliability Japan is down to only one operating nuclear plant.

It is hard to see how any plan to bomb Iran into submission will do anything other than protract the problem and threaten to ignite a powder keg of conflict in the Middle East. As 'The Economist' has noted, bombing Iran will not eliminate the nuclear threat.

In truth, only a world free of all nuclear technology will help to build a workable trust on which to build a lasting peace. In Istanbul, governments should dare to disrupt the endless cycle of hypocrisy, accusation and counter-accusation and take real steps towards peace.

If we are really concerned about human security, if we are really concerned about our children and grandchildren's peace and security, then we should be mustering all investments to move us in a direction of green, clean, renewable energy options. We must recognise that our quest for nuclear energy, the attendant threat of nuclear proliferation, and our reliance on fossil fuel-based energy have been the major drivers of conflict, war and flawed foreign policies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: those from whom we borrow this world, for whom we keep it in trust and who are always caught up as collateral damage in foolish wars and sanctions – our children – deserve a clean, green future free of the threat of nuclear accidents and nuclear war.

I do love your evaluations of difficile political situations...if the world would have listened to you suggeting to ...

Dear Doctor Naidoo,

I do love your evaluations of difficile political situations...if the world would have listened to you suggeting to cut defense-budgets by 100 Billion and give it to Africa we all would live in peace and harmony by now!

I would like to take the chance and make you personally (among others) responsible for the recent politic of Barak Obama!

Obama, winner of the Peace-Nobel-Prize, has not only talked during the first 2 years of his presidency, he had started to fight powerful enemies.

Unfortunately political reality, the world in 2008 (and Bush's heritage) were a mess, including the distribution of seats in American congress and senat did not allow him to change things in a way some voices like yours opposed!

During the first 2-3 years of his presidency many people turned away instead of backing up the Nobel-prize-winner who has the intelectual potential and personality to be a responsible politican.

I still remember all this crusading rhetoric of many (including your Tweeds and blogs) having blamed Obama for not changing the world via night.

The USA will vote soon. Having been betrayed by many companions political situation is not looking all that shiny for Obama by now.

Obama has to make political concessions (like in the past for congress and senat) in order to survive. Concessions which I am sure he hates most himself!

I strongly believe Barak Obama is the best option for American presidency. I pray to whoever the new president wont be Romney,

Greenpeace is a environmental organisation focusing on world wide issues such as global warming, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling and anti-nuclear issues.

There is a an incredible mass of environmental problems.

Please stop dragging Greenpeace down into politics by permanently falling into pure populism!

Please stop misusing Greenpeace as a stage for your career!

Fight Global warming and Deepwater-Drilling, it would be your job.

Leave the Near East (and USA) for others, please, our fragile earth, therefor Greenpeace, has enough other problems!

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Grateful Child
says:

"We must recognise that our quest for nuclear energy, the attendant threat of nuclear proliferation, and our reliance on fossil fuel-based energy...

"We must recognise that our quest for nuclear energy, the attendant threat of nuclear proliferation, and our reliance on fossil fuel-based energy have been the major drivers of conflict, war and flawed foreign policies."
What a great and brilliant post this is kumi. Thank you so very much.
How disturbing it is to think of the greed that drives men to ever increasing and obscene profits, ...and that it ultimately filters down to the poorest of children. As you well know, as the price of gas goes up, ...food and commodities escalate in lockstep, ...equating to millions of children living on the poverty line, inevidably dying in increasing numbers. How sad, and unacceptable their insideous greed, violating so many helpless chldren

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Grateful Child
says:

p.s. Sun: Actually, considering the president of the United States has a great deal to do with the health of the earth and it's people, I think ...

p.s. Sun: Actually, considering the president of the United States has a great deal to do with the health of the earth and it's people, I think Kumi's critique's are very appropriate. But really, who do you think you are to set parameters and boundaries of what Kumi and Greenpeace can and cannot engage in? I welcome Kumi's remarks and clearly see the things that should know no compromise.
"...If I'm elected president, the very first thing I will do is bring our boys home, ...and you can take that to the bank." ___Barrack Obama, campaign promise.
Yes, ...anything is better than one of the Republican climate change deniers, but nothing is worse than an ungrateful child. Thanks Kumi, for your life long service to our earth's children, and our humanity. To see inside your heart, has been my greatest reward.

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(Unregistered) Abigor
says:

Personally, I find this post a great deal of common sense. I agree with Dr. Naidoo's critiques. I do think that fossil fuels, nuclear weapons etc. are the main causes of war in the world today.
However, I would like to point out that: 1: the main country that makes a fuss over nuclear weapons is the USA. Why? Because only countries with nuclear weapons can have a chance of standing up to the USA - which brings us on to 2: the USA embraces a policy of 'total war', fighting everywhere a the same time, even to the point of fighting in space."We're going to fight IN space. we're going to fight FROM space and we're going to fight INTO space." C-in-C of space (USA). The USA's policy is universal hegemony through military power. It's mission statement is 'full spectrum dominance'.
Why? 3: The USA wants oil to keep on living its life. And no-one, and nothing, will stand in its way. President Obama is beginning to try and challenge this - the Keystone XL pipeline? - but the chances of his re-election are very low. I bet that the next president will approve the pipeline.
Greenpeace: I commend your efforts, but there is no force on Earth that will stand in he face of the USA - or nuclear proliferation. Sun is right. Focus, please, on things that can be changed, not things that are out of the control of any.

Essentially M.A.D. puts forth the idea that no one will likely win in an exchange of nuclear weapons.

US corporate business games are one thing; Lying, failure to deliver as promised, litigation that continues for years, starting fights that militaries have to finish, subjugation of governments and regimes, all this I can not in good conscience support,

however

when nuclear weapons are involved I and others agree with The Theory of MAD; in an exchange of nuclear weapons probably no one will win. All will probably lose and will lose a lot.

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(Unregistered) Sun
says:

Hey, Gratefuel Dead, and Listener...

you are so right, all of us agree with you. But you not getting the point. All of us including Docto...

Hey, Gratefuel Dead, and Listener...

you are so right, all of us agree with you. But you not getting the point. All of us including Doctor Naidoo can talk all day long about any problem in the world shouting out the solution... especially one of us does so for the last two years raising his hand to any political flash point that I start to wonder what this person's career planning looks like...we will find out.

But this is not the point!

With Obama's first day in office there were said to be something like 2000 Lobbyists having arrived in Washington. The day President Obama started to clean up Bush's mess Oil- and Energy Industry, traditionally strongly linked to Republicans, had sent an army of about 2000 well paid experts whose only purpose was to torpedo Obama.

There is NO doubt, that Obama had started to fight powerful enemies!

There is NO doubt about the changing distribution of seats in American Senat and Congress which put Obama in chains for times!

All this is called political reality...and it is found somewhere beyond the cracker-barrel!

There is NO doubt about how a wide range of persons worldwide started to talk about Obama at mentioned cracker-barrel instead of backing up our Nobelprize-Winner!

Among these persons there was a Doctor of political sociology, and worse: he was talking the name of Greenpeace.

Of course Oil and Energy is happy about any cracker-barrel Obama has lost...but every day the CEO from Greenpeace International is beating on Obama they now the 2000 Lobbyists were expensive, but the best Investment they have done for long.

Every day Greenpeace beat Obama in the past 2 years they leaned back, opened a bottle and smiled.

PS: by the way: Romney has announced his first trip when president will bring him to Israel...not to Canada were American Presidents traditionally used to go on their first trip abroad.

PPS: you dont get my point? I DO BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA IF GPI DOES NOT TOUCH CERTAIN THINGS AS LONG AS THEIR IS OTHER PROBLEMS! Of course we can try to find solutions in the Near East etc. when there is no more other problems like global warming, deepwater-drilling, overfishing...

Until all these problems are solved: Greenpeace, please do not touch Isreal, Near East and other politcally sensitive Areas which are a mess for decades, sometimes for hundreds or thousands of years.

Or did Doctor Naidoo just suggest Israel to scrap a weapon which they officially do not even have up till now?

Shit, what a great Idea, so simple...why didnt nobody think of this earlier?

This is called POPULISM! Like suggesting to cut defense budgets by 100 Billions and give it to Africa!

PPPS: thanks Abigor, I feel understood...this seems to be something valuable in the age of stupid.

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(Unregistered) Sun
says:

Thank you Greenpeace for this great action in front of West Africa...

For me having spent 4 years in black-Africa...wrong, 3.5 years in 3...

Thank you Greenpeace for this great action in front of West Africa...

For me having spent 4 years in black-Africa...wrong, 3.5 years in 32 black African countries including Mauretania, Senegal, and Gambia (and half a year in South Africa which I know only one South- and/or African who considers it to be Africa although he rather looks Indian) ....

...having spent 4 years of my life on the African continent, some of thisb time on the beaches of Saint Louis and Kafountin...

...for me these Super-Trawlers in front of the coast of West Africa have always been one of the most PERVERTED Symbols of Western World's Ignorance...subsidized by European Union...shit, I suffer a lack of words!

I am honest here, all my African friends would love you for it if they knew you...lets move on to global warming now, please!

PS: who I am? I am a surgeon...I cut out bad parts of society. Coincidently I happen to be a Rainbow Warrior for 35 years, and one of the best trained rebels you will meet...

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(Unregistered) Abigor
says:

If anyone wants to be fully au fait with the problems that face us - humans - today, such as the USA's 'full spectrum dominance', or the f...

If anyone wants to be fully au fait with the problems that face us - humans - today, such as the USA's 'full spectrum dominance', or the fossil fuel problem, or even the ridiculous US Supreme Court ruling that a man has no rights over his own body parts, the I would recommend The Big Earth Book, by James Bruges. It is eye-opening.

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Grateful Child
says:

Sun: You say we've missed the point, but I think your point is quite clear. You've come in here with cloak and dagger to bury a knife in a g...

Sun: You say we've missed the point, but I think your point is quite clear. You've come in here with cloak and dagger to bury a knife in a good man's back, and well, to talk about yourself and what a great person you are. That is the most obvious thing in your posts.
It's called constructive criticism, ...calling out Obama and trying to hold him to his campaign promises. These issues should be, and need to be held up in front of him and for accountablility. Will you tell me that Grateful Child has no business speaking out and being involved in middle east politics? I would encourage every world figure to speak out against any subject, ...yourself included. We voted for change, and for whatever reason, that change has not happened. Here, I've got a petition for you to sign, ...perhaps this will help serve as constructive criticism, and call attention to one of Obama's promises. That is our intent, not a personal career. Or do you think we should just turn a blind eye? Thank you for speaking out Kumi and for holding those in power accountable to the ecological and social changes we really need in this world.
Now I'll just turn my cheek while you try to force the issue with more insults and telling us all how wonderful you are.
This petition from Credo, please sign it and let Obama know we are all deeply concerned, ...otherwise, he may never know - http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/fraud_task_force/?rc=fb_share1